The Wind Calms the Fire - Chapter 42

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 42
When Lea’s gaze wavered and she fell silent, Livia broke into clear laughter.
At first, Lea thought she was laughing as she cradled her face in her hands and her shoulders trembled, but when Livia lifted her head, tears glistened in her eyes.
“He really did send you, then.”
The maid standing behind her quickly offered a handkerchief.
It seemed this happened often enough that the gesture came naturally to her.
Livia pressed the handkerchief gently against the corners of her eyes as she spoke.
“I’m sorry. I cry rather easily.”
“It’s perfectly all right.”
“Weeping Livia, foolish Livia—those are what he often called me. I loved the nicknames he gave me.”
Livia drew in a deep breath.
“How may I be of service?”
“I was not born and raised in the Empire. As I mentioned, I have no connections here. But it seems I shall soon be entering the Imperial City, and I will meet many people there. I fear my inadequacies will become apparent.”
Livia nodded slowly, paused to consider, then asked.
“Do you need instruction? Information?”
Lea was genuinely startled by how precisely Livia had identified the crux of the matter.
“Both.”
“Though you say you weren’t raised in the Empire, from our conversation I can see you possess considerable refinement. You won’t face reproach wherever you go.”
“That isn’t enough. I want to be skilled.”
“Skilled to what degree?”
Lea hesitated briefly before speaking.
“Enough to be recognized as capable of commanding High Society itself.”
Lea swallowed dryly.
She braced herself for ridicule.
But Livia’s reaction was nothing like she’d expected.
As Livia’s lips curved upward into a smile, her entire expression transformed.
It was like witnessing a butterfly’s metamorphosis—an innocent young woman shifting into a sophisticated noblewoman before her eyes.
The two contrasting versions existed without any discord between them, which sent an odd thrill of tension through Lea.
Livia asked.
“Where are you staying?”
Lea told her the location of the 4th Prince’s Residence.
“There is…….”
Livia murmured something cryptic, as if she’d recognized the address.
Her eyes regarding Lea grew noticeably warmer.
“How much time do you have?”
“……I’m not certain. Not a great deal.”
“High Society is a world unto itself. It is exclusive and insular. It shows no mercy to the inadequate, and it rejects outsiders. Becoming one of its people is not something that can be accomplished overnight.”
“I understand.”
“You must memorize the breadth of social knowledge. Livia Barrel—my name. Hearing only that should allow you to instantly recall in your mind who my husband is, how many children I have, what manner of place the Barrel Family is, and how much influence it wields in Imperial society. If time is scarce, you’ll need to forgo sleep. Can you do it?”
“I can.”
Lea answered with conviction.
What was a sleepless night of study compared to this?
Compared to the agony of drawing a blade through living flesh to extract poison, it was nothing.
“Your instructor will remain at your side all day, scrutinizing even your gait and smallest speech habits. There is no freedom—every word and action will be controlled. Can you endure it?”
“Yes.”
Lea answered without hesitation.
Sensing her resolve, Livia smiled.
“I’ll send someone to assist you at the place where you’re staying. Go back and wait.”
“Ah…….”
Lea couldn’t quite believe it was real.
She hadn’t expected the problem she’d agonized over would be resolved so easily.
“Thank you, truly. I don’t know how to express my gratitude…….”
“Save your thanks for later. The instructor I’m sending is the finest, but she will be exacting and difficult. She is not someone I can order about. If she decides to walk away, there’s nothing even I can do.”
“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Shall we end here? I’ve forgotten I have another engagement.”
“Of course. I apologize for the sudden visit and all the trouble I’ve caused.”
It was only in the carriage on the way back that Lea thought of something belatedly.
‘She never asked who I was.’
Like Dhroen, Livia had shown no curiosity about Lea’s true identity.
‘To both of them, it doesn’t matter who I am—only who sent me.’
Lea found herself at a loss.
When she examined the treasure map that Nella had given her, she discovered not merely a chest of treasure, but an entire mountain of riches buried beneath the earth.
Lea reflected ruefully on her own carelessness in having sighed over Nella’s narrow circle of acquaintances.
The worth of these two people far exceeded a thousand casual acquaintances.
Her gaze drifted to Peni, who sat quietly across from her.
Lea gently reached over and took Peni’s hand.
Peni, who had been gazing out the carriage window, startled slightly and turned her head.
“Peni. There will be times like today ahead of us. I won’t be able to explain everything to you, and you’ll have questions that go unanswered.”
“Your Highness.”
Peni’s face brightened with a radiant smile.
Her laughter held not even a trace of disappointment.
“Your Highness. I’m simply happy to be by your side.”
The two of them looked at each other and smiled.
No further words were needed.
Since they were traveling within District 3, the carriage arrived at the Residence quickly.
Before stepping down from the carriage, Peni glanced out the window and spoke.
“Oh, Your Highness. It seems the Prince has arrived. I can see that frightening carriage.”
“Hmm?”
Lea glanced casually out the window after Peni, as if nothing were amiss.
Inwardly, she let out a soft groan.
As memories of last night surfaced, the thought of facing him felt burdensome.
When she opened the carriage door, Cedric stood waiting.
Lea took his offered hand and descended the small steps.
“Thank you, Commander Milo.”
“It appears you’ve been out visiting.”
Cedric felt something akin to what Orbin had experienced the first time he saw Lea in her traveling clothes — a moment of shock.
Yet Cedric was far more skilled than Orbin at controlling his expression.
His eyes wavered only briefly before settling back into composure.
“I heard that Orbin accompanied you.”
“I asked him to handle something else, so he must be running late.”
“I understand, Your Highness.”
“And the Prince……?”
“He is in the 2nd Floor Study.”
Lea steeled herself with resolve.
It was only proper to pay her respects now that the master of the house had returned.
She should also thank him for summoning the tailor.
Besides, they lived under the same roof — she couldn’t avoid seeing him.
She climbed directly to the second floor.
Just as she reached the top of the stairs, Carrion happened to be walking toward her from the far end of the corridor.
Lea spotted him first, and the moment her expression registered recognition, he too noticed her and came to an abrupt halt.
Then he simply stood there, watching her.
They weren’t close enough for her to read his face clearly, so Lea continued walking, puzzled.
But the instant she took a step forward, he turned and walked in the opposite direction.
His stride was hurried and long, and he disappeared directly into the study.
‘What was that?’
Lea was taken aback.
By anyone’s measure, he had looked like he was fleeing.
* * *
Enoch received word that the attendant he’d sent on an errand to the Fourth Prince had returned empty-handed.
“The Fourth Prince has left the Imperial City?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Only the servants tidying up remain at the Baron’s Estate.”
“What of the Dark Castle?”
“It too is empty.”
Enoch stroked his jaw thoughtfully.
‘So the Fourth Prince was summoned for an audience with His Majesty. Did he depart immediately after? The fact that he took the Dark Castle and his men with him suggests he has no intention of remaining in the Imperial City……’
The Fourth Prince’s purpose in meeting with the Emperor might be nothing of consequence.
If it were merely a matter of military appointments related to the Northeast Region, it hardly warranted concern.
If the Fourth Prince attempted to place his own people, Enoch would actually welcome it.
It would provide him with crucial intelligence about the Fourth Prince’s power base.
The ideal scenario, as far as Enoch was concerned, was for the Fourth Prince to leave the capital and return to the Northeast Region without further delay.
There was one thing, however, that gnawed at him.
All this time, Enoch had been waiting for a chance to infiltrate the Dark Castle that now stood within the Imperial City.
He’d heard that both the 2nd Prince’s residence and the 4th Prince’s Dark Castle were built with peculiar internal structures, housing classified documents deep within their walls.
If he could secure those documents hidden inside the Dark Castle, he would gain access not only to the affairs of the Northeast Region but also to deeply personal information about the 4th Prince himself.
Yet the opportunity never seemed to present itself.
The 4th Prince’s Imperial Guard maintained their watch around the Dark Castle vigilantly throughout the day, making it impossible even to approach the place.
Given more time, the security might have grown lax; but the 4th Prince left the Imperial City far sooner than anyone had anticipated.
“I had thought to arrange a reception to welcome the 4th Prince home,” he murmured.
Enoch spoke as though genuinely regretful, though only his closest aides and attendants were present to hear.
Still, he wore the mask of a good-natured man.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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